Related Experiment Videos
An interesting thinner intoxication case: intrathoracic injection
Ilhami Solak1, Ilkin Cankayali, Hasim Aksu
1Department of Emergency Services, Ege University School of Medicine, Bornova-Izmir, Turkey.
Advances in Therapy
|August 17, 2006
Summary
This case report details a rare instance of chemical empyema resulting from the intentional injection of industrial thinners. Prompt treatment led to remission, highlighting the severe local effects of parenteral solvent misuse.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pulmonology
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Industrial thinners like toluene and xylene are common solvents with known systemic toxicities.
- Abuse or misuse, typically via inhalation, can lead to chronic intoxication and multi-organ damage.
- Parenteral administration of thinners is not well-documented in medical literature.
Observation:
- A patient self-administered 10 cc of thinner via injection into the left hemithorax.
- This resulted in the acute development of chemical empyema without bacterial infection.
- Initial CT scans showed pleural effusion, atelectasis, and pleural thickening.
Findings:
- Empyema was successfully treated with tube thoracostomy, achieving full remission in 33 days.
- Minimal hepatotoxicity was the only systemic sign observed.
- Follow-up CT after 1 year revealed persistent pleural thickening, but resolution of effusion and atelectasis.
Implications:
- This case highlights the severe local thoracic complications, specifically chemical empyema, from parenteral thinner injection.
- It underscores the potential for localized toxicity distinct from the typical systemic effects of solvent abuse.
- The findings suggest the need for awareness of rare routes of exposure and their unique clinical presentations.